Enjoy a pop-up dining collaboration between Cathay Pacific and Yat Tun Heen. Photo / Supplied
Enjoy a pop-up dining collaboration between Cathay Pacific and Yat Tun Heen. Photo / Supplied
In-flight dining at ground level
For a limited time, Aucklanders and city visitors alike can experience the high life (specifically, 30,000ft) at sea level. Descend on the Nightcar for a pop-up dining collaboration between Cathay Pacific and Yat Tun Heen. The latter being the airline’s famous Michelin-starred culinary partnerfrom Hong Kong.
Between April 29 and May 2, the below-ground bar and restaurant will host A Plane Food Dining Experience. The menu, which includes signature beverages, cocktails and melt-in-your-mouth food options such as braised beef brisket with chu hou sauce, are all inspired by Cathay’s onboard offerings and also features a unique sparkling tea from Cathay partner, JING.
Private creative spaces across Auckland will open to the public for a limited time when Open Art Studios Upper Harbour returns on May 9 and 10. The event spans nine studios and 20 artists across areas including Greenhithe, Albany and Rosedale, offering access to working environments that are usually closed.
Visitors can move between studios to see how art is made, from sculpture and painting to ceramics and textiles. Artists such as Ryan Mateo and Sarah Ward will demonstrate techniques, share their process and present works for purchase. Live pottery sessions and small group activities add a more hands-on element. upperharbourarts.co.nz
Take a closer look at Auckland’s art scene by stepping inside private studios around the city. Photo / Supplied
Words take over Melbourne
Literature takes over Melbourne this May as the Melbourne Writers’ Festival marks its 40th anniversary with a four-day programme of talks, performances and live events. More than 150 writers from Australia and around the world will take part, spanning fiction, poetry, memoir and journalism.
This year’s theme, Visions & Revisions, centres on how stories evolve over time. The programme brings together established names and emerging voices, including Jacinda Ardern, R. F. Kuang and Yann Martel, alongside a mix of discussions, workshops and performances. Interactive elements such as the Book Factory at the State Library forecourt are not to be missed.
For Kiwi travellers, the festival offers a reason to visit Melbourne beyond its usual spots. It creates a setting where books, ideas and conversation shape the experience of the city over a single weekend. mwf.com.au
Engage with ideas, storytelling and debate in Melbourne Writers' Festival. Photo / Getty Images
Tasting Australia 2026
Tasting Australia returns from May 8 to 17, 2026, running across Adelaide and multiple regional destinations. One of the country’s longest-running eating and drinking festivals, it now stretches well beyond a single venue, combining city events with regional experiences.
At the centre is Town Square in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, the festival’s free-entry hub. Open daily throughout the event, it brings together food vendors, drinks and a high-energy atmosphere during South Australia’s harvest season.
Beyond the square, the programme includes masterclasses in wine, beer and spirits, alongside collaborations between local figures and international chefs.
The festival offers a way to experience South Australia through its produce and regions rather than just its cities. It creates a broader reason to visit in autumn, where food becomes the link between place, people and travel. tastingaustralia.com.au
Experience South Australia at harvest time through a festival built around produce, people and place. Photo / Instagram
Auckland’s Golden Hour returns
If you’re looking for a feast close to home, SkyCity Auckland’s Golden Hour is back until April 30, bringing early evening dining across multiple venues.
The concept centres on a defined window, mostly between 4pm and 6pm, where restaurants such as the Grill, MASU by Nic Watt and Cassia offer set menus ranging from two to three courses. Alongside this, casual options run across venues like Depot, Metita and Huami, focusing on smaller plates, shared snacks and drinks timed with the transition from day to night. heartofthecity.co.nz/auckland-events/golden-hour
Fit dining into your plans with early evening menus across multiple SkyCity venues. Photo / Heart of the City
